Observation of a temperature dependent asymmetry in the domain structure of a Pd-doped FeRh epilayer

C. J. Kinane, M. Loving, M. A. De Vries, R. Fan, T. R. Charlton, J. S. Claydon, D. A. Arena, F. Maccherozzi, S. S. Dhesi, D. Heiman, C. H. Marrows, L. H. Lewis, Sean Langridge

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31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Using x-ray photoelectron emission microscopy we have observed the coexistence of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic phases in a (3 at%)Pd-doped FeRh epilayer. By quantitatively analyzing the resultant images we observe that as the epilayer transforms there is a change in magnetic domain symmetry from predominantly twofold at lower temperatures through to an equally weighted combination of both four and twofold symmetries at higher temperature. It is postulated that the lowered symmetry Ising-like nematic phase resides at the near-surface of the epilayer. This behavior is different to that of undoped FeRh suggesting that the variation in symmetry is driven by the competing structural and electronic interactions in the nanoscale FeRh film coupled with the effect of the chemical doping disorder.

Original languageEnglish
Article number113073
JournalNew Journal of Physics
Volume16
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 26 2014
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilEP/G065640/1
National Science FoundationDMR-0907007, DMR-0908767
Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences0908767, 0907007

    Keywords

    • Antiferromagnetism
    • Domain structures
    • FeRh
    • Ferromagnetism
    • Magnetic phase transitions
    • Magnetic thin films
    • Nucleation

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